Knee decisions — 2008

The veteran's knee disabilities are rated at the lowest possible level due to mild to moderate impairment, and no higher ratings are warranted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left knee strain, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings have been denied as the assigned ratings are already at their maximum under the applicable rating criteria.

The veteran's right thumb disorder is now rated at 20 percent disabling, effective August 5, 2006. The other claims are denied.

The veteran is seeking TDIU based on service-connected right knee and lumbar spine disabilities. The case has been remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing clarification of the examiner's opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with notification and obtaining service medical records. The veteran's claims for service connection on all four issues are pending.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the current disability is not related to service.,For patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, a noncompensable rating has been assigned. The RO found that the condition does not clearly interfere with normal employability.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and residuals of a right eye injury, finding that these conditions are related to his service-connected right ankle disability. The claim for an increased rating for the right ankle fracture remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with the VCAA and to provide a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present acquired psychiatric disorders. The veteran's left knee disorder and psychiatric disability are still under consideration.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected internal derangement of the left knee, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, finding no medical evidence linking his current gout diagnosis to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and proper VCAA notice.

The Board found the evidence submitted after the previous denial in December 1995 to be new but not material, and denied service connection for a left knee disability because it did not show that a left knee injury was incurred in service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO via videoconference. The case will be returned to the Board after this is done.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and requests for additional examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disability, PTSD service connection, hypertension secondary to PTSD, and low back disability secondary to right knee disability. The left knee was rated at 10% disabling.

The veteran's right knee arthritis is rated at 40 percent, and his left knee arthritis prior to April 19, 2007 was rated at 30 percent. From June 1, 2008 onwards, the left knee arthritis is rated at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining reserve duty medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if current back or bilateral knee disorders are related to service. The veteran's claims for increased rating of right ear hearing loss and service connection for back disorder and bilateral knee disorder will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The veteran died in March 2005 and the appellant filed a claim for accrued benefits. The Board found that there were no pending claims at the time of the veteran's death, thus denying the accrued benefits claim.